Kitchen Hack Alert: You Can Shred Chicken in Seconds With a Stand Mixer

If you’ve been using two forks or your bare hands to shred chicken for tacos or potluck sandwiches, then we have some game-changing news for you. PopSugar pointed out that a KitchenAid or other stand mixer can be used to shred chicken breasts in mere seconds, making it much easier—and faster—than any method you’ve likely used before.

Once you’ve fully cooked the chicken breasts in a pan or crock-pot using your preferred blend of broth and seasonings, transfer the chicken to the mixer bowl. Be sure to use the standard paddle attachment that came with the mixer, and turn it to the lowest setting to begin the shredding process. It should take you no more than one minute to complete (the timing depends on how finely you’d like it to be shredded).

This super simple method has been championed by several professional chefs. “You’re never going to have burnt fingers again from shredding the chicken before it’s cool enough,” cook and YouTube personality Noreen Lambert said in a video demonstrating the method. “You’re just going to put it in your mixer bowl and you’re going to let it go.”

This trick also works for pulled pork and brisket—just be sure to remove any bones before sticking the meat into the mixing bowl.

Looking for some more kitchen hacks to step up your culinary game? Check out our 15 cooking tips, plus easier ways to use a can opener and cheese grater.